After serving on the Sangre de Cristo Electric Cooperative board for over 32 years, I have a few observations for the upcoming election.
Please get out and vote. In the last election, only about 20 percent of our membership voted. The candidates from Arkansas Valley Coalition for a Sustainable Energy Future, overwhelmingly won the election. Many good, effective directors were replaced and the new directors appear to have an agenda that they are pushing. This organization and outside donors supplied over 10,000 dollars for the election of their directors.
Over the years, all the directors I served with were aware of the problems with coal and gas pollution. We were happy to see Tri-State, our generation supplier, working towards alternative energy including solar and wind. Now they are generating almost 40 percent of their power from these sources. They are also going to expand the allowed amount produced by each Co-op from their sources.
These changes will take time to implement and make them available. However, transitioning to 100 percent alternative energy is still a long way in the future. Many homeowners cannot afford, nor do they have the ability to add solar energy to their homes.
Charlie Abel is running unopposed and he is a dedicated and effective director. The two candidates vying to replace Dan Daly are both qualified and can become effective directors. I am personally supporting Ed Simmons. Ed impressed me with his knowledge and experience in the Navy and his training as a Professional Engineer. His goals include reliability, energy supply options, costs, and financial security of the Co-op. He is looking for balance and cooperation for our Co-op.
Please vote in this election. Ballots will be mailed in April and there is electronic or mail-in voting. Ballots must be returned by June 3 and results will be announced on June 6. The annual meeting is June 11 in Westcliffe.
Thank you,
Suzy Kelly
Buena Vista
Recent Comments